Rachel has continued to hit out at proposals to build a 287 acre solar farm on agricultural land near Inkberrow.
During a Westminster Hall debate today (April 18th) on large-scale solar farms, Rachel once again made clear her opposition to JBM Solar’s proposals.
The local MP has previously visited the proposed site to meet with the Roundhill Wood Solar Farm Opposition Group and carried out a residents’ survey which found 70% of respondents opposed the solar farm.
During the debate, Rachel made clear that she supports renewable energy and reaching the UK’s Net Zero target, but she strongly opposes solar farms being built on agricultural land.
Rachel said: “Residents have told me that they are wholly supportive of renewable energy from solar power and the ambition of tackling climate change more generally, but they have a number of concerns namely loss of prime agricultural land at a time of war.
“I agree with residents that farming subsidies should not be used to encourage more solar farms, when what we really need are more wheat and dairy farms so we can be sustainable as a country.
“The truth is: while Conservatives are protecting the green belt and standing up for local voices, Labour are not only willing, but actively planning to concrete over the countryside.
“Meanwhile, I will continue to support Roundhill Wood Solar Farm Opposition Group in the fight to stop solar panels being plonked on good agricultural land.”
Phil Coathup, Chair of the Roundhill Wood Solar Farm Opposition Group, added: “We’re not opposed to green energy or measures to protect our planet, but we just shouldn’t be building huge solar farms on good agricultural land.
“We’re grateful for the support we’ve received from Rachel who is backing us in our fight to stop this 287 acre solar farm being built in Roundhill Wood.”
